Medical Guidelines

The Medicine Lodge at New Life Ranch is staffed by licensed health professionals (MD, DO, PA, APRN, RN) as well as Nurse Aides. We have a physician who acts as the medical director and provides yearly review of our policies, procedures, and treatment protocols.

Each location has a pharmacy and stocks commonly used medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, and Tums, for as-needed use. Please leave common, over-the-counter (OTC) medications at home unless the camper has a specific allergy to binding materials. New Life Ranch follows American Camp Association standards for medication administration.

If your child takes scheduled medication, the medication will be stored in our health center and dispensed by a licensed health professional at meal times and bedtime. All medications (prescription, over-the-counter, & camper carry) must be checked in when you drop off your camper.  This includes eye, ear, nose, oral, topical and inhalation medications.

To help expedite your check-in process on Sunday, please follow the instructions below:

1. Please make sure each medication that your camper takes is correct on the medication form you completed during registration. If your camper’s medication or dose has changed since you registered, please contact the office to update the form. All medications, including those carried by the camper, must be on this form.
2. Please bring the camper who will be taking medications during their stay to the medication check-in station to meet the nurse.
3. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are required to be in the ORIGINAL PACKAGE and contain only the medication identified on the container. Do not put medications in pill containers or combine multiple medications into one bottle.
4. If your child requires a prescription medication, the prescription label must be legible with the camper’s name on it. Please do not use old bottles or those belonging to another family member as they will not be administered per state law and the Nurse Practice Act. Prescription label instructions will be followed. If your child's doctor has recently changed the timing, frequency, or dose of the medication, make sure the prescription label is up to date. No exceptions.
5. Because Non-FDA approved medications, which include most vitamins, essential oils, and dietary supplements are not regulated, they will only be accepted and administered to your camper if the parent provides a written order that is signed by a licensed provider (MD, DO, NP or PA). This order must identify the camper, dose, route, time of administration, and medication. This is to ensure the safety of your camper and to comply with the Nurse Practice Act. This includes homeopathic items such as Melatonin, gummy vitamins, supplements, etc.
6. Allergy shots will NOT be accepted or administered during your child’s stay at camp. Please arrange for allergy shots to be administered before the camp session.
7. The ONLY medications/devices that are permitted to be kept with the counselors/campers are
   1. RESCUE inhalers (along with spacer)
   2. EpiPens
   3. Glucometers for Type 1 Diabetic campers

These are the only medications that our counselors are trained to carry.

All medications can be picked up by parents on the last day of camp. Medications that are not picked up will be disposed of at the end of the summer. Please be sure to stop by our medication return table at the end of your child’s term. If your child has a rescue medication kept by the counselor (EpiPen or rescue inhaler), it is your responsibility to obtain these from your child's counselor when you pick up your child from camp.

Special Camper Circumstances

Contact nurse@newliferanch.com for special camper circumstances

• Diabetes
• Seizure disorder
• Severe asthma
• Fracture/broken bone within 8 weeks
• Recent surgery
• Recent concussion
• Severe food, drug, or insect allergy

Health events such as those named above may require a release to come to camp.

Hydration

Our counselors are trained to highly encourage water intake during the summer months of camp. Water is available near most outdoor activities and in the dining hall at meals. Counselors are trained to identify dehydration signs in campers and will encourage hydration consistently while at camp. Please send a refillable water bottle with your camper.

Hand washing

Hand washing is a key component to infection control at camp. Please discuss the importance of hand washing before meals and after toileting with your camper before they arrive.

Lice

Please check your camper for lice BEFORE arriving at camp. If lice or nits are present, please have your child treated before they come to camp. Any camper with untreated lice or nits will not be allowed to participate in camp activities until treated. You will be asked at check-in if you have checked your camper for lice prior to arrival.  If not, they will be required to have a lice check by the camp nurse upon arrival.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Emma Ward at nurse@newliferanch.com